The business world has changed dramatically in the last few years. Certain major events have transformed the way people meet, collaborate and negotiate – much more of which is now taking place through a screen, camera or microphone. But this is a relatively recent development in the professional world because the internet has only been around for a few decades. In the centuries and millenniums before that, business and commerce have been done face-to-face and with great success. Some would argue that face-to-face is still better – but why is this?

Trust and relationship building

It’s difficult to put into words but the experience when interacting with some in person rather than online is completely different. Establishing relationships and generating trust becomes much more effective in the presence of the other person. And when this person is someone you are selling to or trying to build a professional connection with – this could be the difference between a positive or negative relationship.

More effective communication

Communication can also be optimised further if you’re in the presence of the person you are communicating with. It’s more than just your verbal or visual presentation, body language and other nonverbal cues are significant in delivering your message and conveying your thoughts and feelings. This is more difficult in virtual meetings, and when relationships or conversations are important to your operations or business – it’s essential that you get it right.

Show of respect

Taking the time and effort to meet someone in person is also a show of respect that can go a long way when it comes to establishing or maintaining important connections. Many traditional cultures around the world still place a very high emphasis on meeting face-to-face and showing respect when meeting someone for the first time – particularly in professional settings. Many industries are reverting to old methods and trends, perhaps the wider business world will do the same.

Reliability

Technology has revolutionised the world and much of your business couldn’t survive without it. But it can let you down when you need it most. If you’ve scheduled a meeting or sales call, technology trouble can make you look unprofessional if you’re late or don’t show – whereas you could create a better first impression in person with more elements in your control. The more important meetings or projects in your schedule are likely worth the extra effort and you can justify enjoying the comforts of a serviced apartment for a few nights.

Inspiration and creativity

Another argument in favour of in-person meetings and interactions is the ability to benefit from more creative or inspirational environments. Not only that, you can bounce ideas and judge reactions from coworkers, partners and clients with greater confidence than if you only saw a window into their workspace. There’s just a different energy around interacting with counterparts in a physical space and maybe you should look to encourage it more in your business.